US jockey David Flores steers Bourbon Goldman to a smart win in Race 5 on Friday night. Picture Singapore Turf Club.
It’s fair to say that a couple of 2014 champions in trainer Laurie Laxon and jockey Manoel Nunes have no intention to give up their crowns in 2015.
The pair – often together – have started the new season in red-hot form with Laxon saddling seven winners at an incredible strike rate of 46.67% and “Manny” continuing where he left off with nine winners at a strike rate of 25.71%. Oddly, we don’t get to see the combination in action on Friday night but expect both to keep things ticking over – especially Nunes who looks to have a very strong book as you would expect from the leading hoop.
Hopefully he gets off the mark in race 1 with SACRED SPIN who resumes in what looks an ordinary Kranji Stakes D – the first race of the new season on the turf. SKY ELEVEN in race 3 will give a sight in what looks a very good Class 4 event over 1400m while CLERMONT CLUB looks the best of a bad bunch in race 4.
BOURBON GOLDMAN starts favourite and should have every chance in race 5 and ZAC GALLANT looks a solid each-way option in a weak Class 5 Poly sprint over 1000m. CLUTHA LAD looks a place chance at best for Nunes in the seventh before the affable Brazilian finishes the card with a couple of last start winners in ZAC COMMAND (race 8) and ORIENTAL PERAL (race 9).
So while the 2014 award night might not be till Tuesday night, Nunes might just help himself to some early desserts on Friday to keep the good start rolling.
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Best Bets; (WELL DONE race 2, win), (IMPERIAL FIGHTER race 3, each-way) and (BELIEVE YOURSELF race 7, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 4, 6, 7 and 10), race 7 (1, 3, 5, 9, 11 and 13), race 8 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), race 9 (2, 4, 5, 6 and 10).
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Race cards and Larry Foley’s synopsis follows and for updates on all runners go to www.kranjiracing.com
Please note the odds listed are “reference odds” only.
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Race 1
Selections; 2 SACRED SPIN – 1 BARNBURGH LAD – 9 ALL MY WAY – 8 GEARIGURU
With no real standouts in this Kranji Stakes D sprint, the only last start winner in the field – SACRED SPIN – looks as good as place to start as any. The 4YO is resuming after a short let-up but gets Nunes from a fair gate (5) and with a nice recent trial under his belt, he should be ready to show his best first-up. BARNBURGH LAD will find this company more to his liking and also looks a solid winning option. The 4YO has been solid in Class 4 and given this looks an even KSD field at best, he could easily show up without surprising with Benny Woodworth up. A couple of non-winners in GEARIGURU and ALL MY WAY also look well-placed to knock in an overdue win. GEARIGURU hasn’t won at 10 starts in Singapore but is always thereabouts and ALL MY WAY looks to have found form and given he had excuses last start, he could show up with blinkers removed for this.
1 BARNBURGH LAD *** Will find this company more to his liking and can turn solid form into a win. 6.00
2 SACRED SPIN *** Resuming after breaking maiden status in October. Recent trial suggests he is up to this. 3.00
3 SECRET LIBERTY ** Disappointing last start and drawn wide but may appreciate turf. 10
4 HIGHLIGHT ** Will work into this late and a must for exotics. 5.00
5 BEST NINE ** Excuses last start and should be prominent throughout from the good gate. 8.00
6 BLACK MAMBA ** Very disappointing last start but freshened this was his winning trip. 33
7 WILKINSON * Struggling. 50
8 GEARIGURU *** Yet to win at 10 starts in Singapore but is due and this race looks suitable. 8.00
9 ALL MY WAY *** Excuses last start and recent efforts suggests he has found form and goes close here with blinkers removed. 8.00
10 BROTHER BAY * Winkers off. Maiden who is impossible on recent form. 33
11 DRAGON NINETYNINE * No. 50
12 SUPERMART * Back in trip and may want easier. 50
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Race 2
Selections; 1 WELL DONE – 4 MR DE NIRO – 5 MR FANTASTIC – 6 PUBLIC GUARDIAN
While we give PUBLIC GUARDIAN and MR FANTASTIC winning hopes, this could be a race in two between WELL DONE with John Powell up and MR DE NIRO with Manny Nunes. WELL DONE has race experience on his side and has certainly shown enough at the races to suggests he has a bright future. He can find trouble but a recent good trial suggests he is getting the hang of this racing caper and from gate 2, he should be given every chance. But the combination of Oscar Racing and Laurie Laxon is flying and MR DE NIRO on debut looks another that can add to their 2015 tally. His one Official trial in Singapore was easily good enough to suggests he wins soon and he must go close to starting favourite with gate 3 a bonus. Of the other two with chances, MR FANTASTIC improves for what was a slid debut and PUBLIC GUARDIAN was the next best of the newcomers on what we saw at the trials.
1 WELL DONE *** Has ability and should win one soon with race experience a factor. 3.00
2 HANDSOME BAB * No. 50
3 CARO INA * A couple of quiet trials and market only guide. 33
4 MR DE NIRO *** Debuts with nice trial under his belt and has strong winning claims. 3.00
5 MR FANTASTIC *** Improves on what was a solid trial and should keep them honest. 6.00
6 PUBLIC GUARDIAN *** Looked OK winning Official trial and should get a gun run from the ace. 8.00
7 ROSEGOLD ** Very hard to have on race form but recent trial suggests he improves at odds. 20
8 SMOOTHLY * Hard to have on trial form. 33
9 VALHALLA ** Two quiet trials and market best guide. 20
10 WESTERN BOSS * Well beaten at two race starts. 100
11 WOLVERINE * Have to respect stable but like to see support given trial form. 33
12 ZAHIR * Will improve with racing but might find a few of these too good. 33
13 BM POWER * Didn’t need the wide alley. 100
14 IN BOCCA AL LUPO ** Japanese filly who has trailed OK and worth some thought with the light weight. 12
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Race 3
Selections; 6 SKY ELEVEN – 9 IMPERIAL FIGHTER – 3 PLATOON – 5 KAI POWER
This race should have a little bit of everything. The dasher – BENJI’S EMPIRE – will lead them into the race and set a cracking pace with SKY ELEVEN and IMPERIAL FIGHTER the two likely to have him in their sights throughout. The pace will suit the swoopers with PLATOON and KAI POWER both likely to be doing their best late. A plethora of other chances including BANNISTER and BOB on a turf surface that should be in perfect condition. Hopefully the on-pace runners will be suited on the Short Course A and as such SKY ELEVEN with Manny Nunes gets the early nod. The 4YO had excuses last start not to win (or at least go close) and he does look due. IMPERIAL FIGHTER resumes and will be right in this throughout so must be a huge show and if the race/track suits swoopers, PLATOON ran down Mexican Gal last start so he probably starts favourite and KAI POWER is a stayer with a big future. Great race with BANNISTER the value.
1 FAT BOBO ** Best recent form including last start win on the Poly but pay to keep safe. 20
2 HARDCORE ROCK ** Appreciates turf but has struggled at Class 4 level. 20
3 PLATOON *** Grew wings late to beat Mexican Gal last start and that form has been franked. Big show. 3.00
4 DASHFUL * Impossible on form but excuses last start and recent trial suggests he could improve at odds. 100
5 KAI POWER *** Very promising stayer resuming and will have admirers to win first-up. 8.00
6 SKY ELEVEN *** Excuses not to go close to winning last start and the one they will have to pass late to win. 3.50
7 BANNISTER *** Form better than it reads and this race looks prefect to show his best. Each-way. 12
8 BOB *** Honest and looks up to Class 4 company with good gate a bonus. 10
9 IMPERIAL FIGHTER *** Resuming in what is a very suitable race and in this a very long way. 6.00
10 ALADDIN ** Thereabouts as a a rule with excuses last start and worth thought as often value. 33
11 BENJI’S EMPIRE ** Very cheeky run expected and is suited the trip. Keep safe. 20
12 HONGCHEN * Can mix his form but will find this more suitable than last start. 50
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Race 4
Selections; 1 CLERMONT CLUB – 2 OCTIVIA – 3 FOREIGN EXCHANGE – 6 CHENGDU WARRIOR
After three races on the turf we get our first look at the Poly for the evening and to be frank, it’s not a classic. A relatively small field for a Class 5 and given the bottom three horses have over 150 starts between them for zero wins suggests it’s a good time to grab a drink. As it stands it does look a race in two between CLERMONT CLUB and OCTAVIA. CLERMONT CLUB has only one win to his name but testament to his honest form is the fact he just recently got to Class 5 company. He had excuses with support not to win on that occasion and gets his chance here from gate 1. OCTAVIA is a maiden but has her foot well and truly on the till and she should be handy enough in this field to have every chance to swoop and win for Michael Rodd. Raffle the rest.
1 CLERMONT CLUB *** Excuses last start when supported in grade and can make amends with gate 1 a bonus. 2.10
2 OCTIVIA *** Maiden who is due with best work expected late. 3.00
3 FOREIGN EXCHANGE ** Has been mixing his form of late but would give this a shake on a good day. 12
4 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ ** Disappointing at his last couple but makes his presence felt late if on-song. 12
5 ACE RICH * First-time at trip and could run a cheeky race at odds. 50
6 CHENGDU WARRIOR ** Doesn’t win out of turn but showed last start why he has to be respected. 12
7 SUPER VELOX * 57 start maiden who gets a tongue tie for this and can include in exotics. 12
8 CHINESE TYCOON * 58 starts maiden and prefer others. 20
9 DOUBLE HOCK ** Another long-term maiden but recent form OK and can fill a placing. 12
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Race 5
Selections; 1 SPEEDY CAT – 3 BOURBON GOLDMAN – 5 HOLY WARRIOR – 8 CANNON HILL
Who would have thought that the booking of WS Chan would be such a positive in a race like this. The now 3kg claimer is the go-to-man for Leslie Khoo with some good horses of late including Goodpack last weekend. He gets the job on SPEEDY CAT down in Class in this BM89 mile and if the 6YO shows anything near his Group best, he could just win this. The form horse and the one he will have to hold out late is BOURBON GOLDMAN. A winner of four from 18, BOURBON GOLDMAN looks overdue after a good run of nonwinning form since January 2014. The 5YO hash’t won past 1200m – which is a slight concern – but given his recent runs, you would think that shouldn’t be a problem in this field with Manny Nunes up. Like BOURBON GOLDMAN, HOLY WARRIOR hasn’t won for a while but is super honest and must be considered with most others having to be taken on trust.
1 SPEEDY CAT *** Form reads badly but very much appreciates drop to this company. Keep safe. 7.00
2 DUJARDIN ** Coming off a shocker but some of his other recent runs has him under notice. 12
3 BOURBON GOLDMAN *** Yet to win past 1200m but looks due and must go close. 2.50
4 ALEXANDRA PALACE ** Has been disappointing since impressive maiden win and have to take on trust with blinkers back off. 12
5 HOLY WARRIOR *** Has been super consistent without winning since saluting at his Singapore debut. Each-way. 5.00
6 THUMPING ** Most recent win was over this trip and will keep them honest late. 5.00
7 MUSKETEER * Resuming and while he has won first-up previously, his recent form was average. 33
8 CANNON HILL ** Tongue-tie on after putting in a shocker last start and would be up to this on his day. 8.00
9 VERGLATICA * Has done little since big Derby effort back in July. 33
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Race 6
Selections; 10 GANGNAM STYLE – 1 SUPER CAPTAIN – 6 ZAC GALLANT – 7 SPECTA DILEMMA
Another Class 5 race on the Polytrack, this time over 1000m. Again, hard to get too excited about the field given some great turf races on offer on the card but as it stands, GANGNAM STYLE can continue on with his good run of form and win this. The 5YO took a long time to break his maiden status but his three runs since have been good enough to suggest he wins again in this company and he will be in this for a very long way. Also in good form is SUPER CAPTAIN and he looks a very solid option at the top of the weights. A Rueven 2kg claim looks a smart move and he certainly plays a major role in this finish with the two maidens – ZAC GALLANT and MR PATRON – also worth a look as is SPECTA DILEMMA fresh with blinkers added.
1 SUPER CAPTAIN *** In form and always a winning show in races like this. 3.50
2 ANGSANA ** Resuming after showing nothing in Singapore but does get blinkers and tongue-tie so look for improvement. 33
3 SHOW CLASS * Tongue-tie on after issues last start (roarer) and have to take on trust. 33
4 MR PATRON *** Maiden but gets Juglall and OK recent trial suggests he has something to offer. 12
5 KING OF KOON ** Will be running on late and worth thought in exotics. 13
6 ZAC GALLANT *** Maiden resuming with blinkers and Nunes and gets his chance in this field. 4.00
7 SPECTA DILEMMA *** Freshened and goes good enough first-up to follow with blinkers on. 12
8 MISCHEF LOVE US * Easier to ignore. 100
9 LIVE WELL * Backing-up in right company but prefer on the turf. 33
10 GANGNAM STYLE *** In a good vein of form and hard to beat. 3.50
11 FOUNTAIN ** Nothing since winning four starts back and have to take on trust. 20
12 FUKU’S PET ** Long-time between drinks but in this a very long way. 12
13 DIAMOND ON THE BAY ** Did well to play last start and can include in exotics. 20
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Race 7
Selections; 9 BELIEVE YOURSELF – 3 BOGART – 5 SUPER WINNER – 1 BEST TOTHELIGN
Great race and hopefully some value in mind with the 3YO filly, BELIEVE YOURSELF. The former Australian Juvenile Group winner ran well at her Singapore debut and given her ability, she might just improve enough with that run under her belt to win this. The wide gate and the good field suggests punters might leave her alone and if she is each-way odds, get on! Obviously the good form in this race comes from BEST TOTHELIGN and SUPER WINNER who are in red-hot winning form and will get the majority of support. BEST TOTHELIGN has won his last three and just goes too well not to follow and SUPER WINNER is only a 3YO so has plenty of upside. There will be value galore elsewhere and pay to keep BOGART safe first-up with blinkers and the Pat Shaw duo of BOARD WALK and SPYDER are always worth a second look.
1 BEST TOTHELIGN *** Hard to fault winning form and more than handles the turf so have to follow. 3.00
2 FATKID * Resuming after long break and prefer to watch. 50
3 BOGART *** Resuming with upgrade to blinkers and recent trials suggests he goes very well first-up. 12
4 SPRING THUNDER ** Ran on well to win over 1000m last start and worth thought at value. 20
5 SUPER WINNER *** Very progressive 3YO who has won three from four and must go close. 3.50
6 WORLD WAR * Resuming and will need longer. 200
7 LIVELY DRAGON ** Will race on the pace and should be thereabouts at the business end. 20
8 SICHUAN RULER ** Has been disappointing of late but goes good enough on his day to keep safe. 33
9 BELIEVE YOURSELF *** Debut a lot better than the result and can win on very good Australian form. 12
10 CLUTHA LAD ** Resuming and recent trial suggests he will go OK fresh although Class may test. 14
11 BOARD WALK *** Versatile and up to winning a race like this on his day. 8.00
12 SERGEANT PEPPER * Resuming sans blinkers and have to take on trust. 33
13 SPYDER *** Another honest Shaw horse who must be considered at each-way odds. 8.00
14 DAAD’S THE WAY * Needs longer and easier. 200
15 DRAGON KING * Needs easier. 200
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Race 8
Selections; 2 VICTORY ACHIEVER – 1 ALAN – 3 ROYAL TUDOR – 5 ZAC COMMAND
Tricky race for form analysts with a couple of horses – VICTORY ACHIEVER and NINETYSIX POWER – desperate for a result after being supported at recent runs and a couple of others with winning hopes coming off poor runs. VICTORY ACHIEVER had excuses last start when he returned not striding so while disappointing for followers not to have won of late, he should go close. Gate 2 and Corey Brown looks a good combination. The other horse overdue for the support he gets – NINETYSIX POWER – has the head-gear removed and connections will be hoping that does the trick at his first run out of maiden company. ALAN comes off a shocker but his form prior good enough to follow in this company with Michael Rodd getting his chance for Laurie Laxon. Of the others, ZAC COMMAND comes off a win so has to be respected with Manny Nunes up and one to watch at odds is ROYAL TUDOR who gets winkers and might surprise at odds with a nice trial under his belt.
1 ALAN *** Coming off an absolute shocker but appreciates company and better than most here. 4.00
2 VICTORY ACHIEVER *** Returned not striding last start and desperate for a result for the support. 3.00
3 ROYAL TUDOR *** Form reads very badly but gets winkers and recent trial suggests he improves lengths. 20
4 NINETYSIX POWER *** Very disappointing not to win last start but could show-up first start in open company with head-gear removed. 4.00
5 ZAC COMMAND *** Up in grade but in winning form and gets Nunes. 5.00
6 HARDEN UP ** Excuses last start and worth a look at odds on best form. 33
7 FINAL COUNTDOWN * Easier to ignore on recent form. 33
8 LADY TRIO ** Form reads badly but gets back onto the turf which should see improvement. 33
9 BIMALA * Might need easier than this. 33
10 JONATHAN ** Not a mile away last start for new trainer and can include at value in exotics. 33
11 RORY * Form OK but reassess easier and shorter. 100
12 MONEY KING ** Back in trip but not the worst here. 20
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Race 9
Selections; 5 LIKA TIGER – 6 RAPPOR – 4 ANGRY CAT – 2 ART OF WAR
A tough Poly sprint to close proceedings – so much so that none of the four last start winners get a mention in the top three. In saying that it was extremely tough to leave out ART OF WAR who is going for four wins on the trot after being gelded late last year and racing sans head-gear. But plenty of others that are due and are up to Class 4 company. None more so than LIKA TIGER who showed more than enough with excuses at his Singapore debut to think he can win this. On that occasion he was held up in the straight and while he has drawn wide for this, he needs only an ounce of luck to score an early win at Kranji. Of the others that looks due, RAPPOR and ANGRY CAT are in form and are more than up to this company and both get a chance after drawing gates 4 and 2 respectively.
1 ORIENTAL PEARL ** Resuming after winning in KSD company last start with tote a good guide. 8.00
2 ART OF WAR *** Grown a proverbial since being gelded and hard to beat again. 4.00
3 LION WAVE * Will improve with each run but prefer later over longer. 50
4 ANGRY CAT *** Looks ready to win again and will be flying late in what is a suitable race. 5.00
5 LIKA TIGER *** Drawn wide but excuses not to win at Singapore debut and hard to beat with luck in running. 3.50
6 RAPPOR *** Last start better than the result and in this a long way from the good gate. 10
7 D’ARTAGNAN * Often struggles at Class 4 level. 50
8 MASTERMIND ** Hasn’t been at his speedy best of late and have to take on trust. 20
9 SUPER SIX ** Backed up win at odds with solid run but tested from wide gate in this field. 20
10 AERO WINGS JUNIOR *** Won well with support in KSD company last start and pay to follow. 9.00
11 SIMPANG * Could work into this late but prefer in Class 5. 33
12 OASIS SPUR ** Another who may need easier but in form and pay to keep safe with no weight. 20
13 TRUST ME * Easier to ignore. 100
14 RAINBOW STAR * No. 100
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